Set in the rural community of North Saanich in Canada’s West Coast, this project by Scott and Scott Architects revived the remains of an old barn structure into a modern countryside family home. Named Saanich Farmhouse, the house bridges typologies and indoors and outdoors environments, as fitting within the Vancouver Island’s southern peninsula’s agricultural landscape.
The house, clad in iron salt washed yellow cedar that will weather over time, spans 250 sq m and sits exactly on the footprint of the original farm structure on site. Existing established gardens, a grove of mature trees, a pond and rear food gardens surround the plot. A masonry wall made of salvaged brick defines its borders and anchors it on site.
Upon entering, visitors are guided either to the main living spaces, or a cloak room, water closet and canning kitchen, which can be accessed directly from the kitchen garden and becomes a key workspace for the owners. The living areas on the opposite site of the house feature a more conventional, open plan arrangement that combines seating, a more formal kitchen and dining space. Further along is a double bedroom with direct views to another mature garden.
The living area is an impressive double height space whose exposed gable vault structure of Douglas fir truss bents creates a dramatic internal feature. Timber is omnipresent and becomes a defining element, setting the tone for the interior, either in the more generous, fluid communal areas or the more private bedrooms – a second suite sits just above the ground level one. Bespoke cabinetry was locally produced from grade cut plywood, pigmented with a blue oil to compliment the Douglas fir tones.
Most of the project’s materials were locally harvested and quarried on Vancouver Island; another way that this humble but perfectly orchestrated family home conversion is intrinsically linked to its locale, making it at the same time of its place and fit for the 21st century. §
